According to the Public Prosecution Service, the 18-year-old man from Meppel who is suspected of an armed robbery of a jewelery store in Meppel in September has committed more robberies. This became apparent during an introductory session in Assen.
The teenager was arrested shortly after the robbery in Meppel, together with an 18-year-old man from Groningen. The Meppeler immediately confessed to the robbery. Shortly afterwards he was released, but he had to adhere to conditions.
Among other things, he was not allowed to contact the co-suspect. De Meppeler did not adhere to this. There were also conflicts at home with the teenager. The man has been in custody again since the beginning of December.
“But there turned out to be more going on,” said the prosecutor. At that time, De Meppeler was also linked to a robbery of a jeweler in Zutphen. In contrast to Meppel, loot was taken in Zutphen.
According to the Public Prosecution Service, De Meppeler may also have been involved in a robbery of a jeweler in The Hague in early August. The Meppel resident had to provide DNA for this. The result of this research is not yet known.
Heavy stuff, the prosecutor said. The robbers entered the business with face coverings and knives. Four teenagers were arrested for the robbery in Zutphen, a 16-year-old from Warnsveld, a 17-year-old from Harreveld and two aged 17 and 18 from Meppel.
The oldest Meppeler has now been psychologically examined. The report was not yet available.
According to his lawyer, the teenager needs help and is not running fast enough for that. He proposed to lift the pre-trial detention. The judge didn’t like that. “A previous suspension has failed. A package of conditions is needed to limit the risks. But there is no plan yet,” the judge said.
The pre-trial detention has been extended by thirty days. During that time, the probation service must come up with a plan for the possibility of a new suspension. It is not yet known when the substantive case will be heard.